DHS Softball Team Rounds Bases to State Finals

Celebrating an exciting comeback, the DHS Softball Team savors their victory in the quarter finals of the state softball tournament in April. Senior Meghan Gaubert’s two-run homer gave Dominican a 2 – 1 victory and sent them to the championship game.

On Apr. 28, Dominican’s Softball Team, a 4th seed entering state tournament play, defeated the Mount Carmel Cubs to move on to play the John Curtis Patriots in the state championship game in Sulfur, LA. Dominican kept the game against the Patriots close and earned the title of State Runner-Up for the 2018 softball season.

During state tournament play, the team hit it out of the park with two victories over teams ranked in the top ten. “I hope this experience will show us as a team that we are competitive and can repeat our success,” said head coach Mrs. Dawn Benoit.

In the semi-final round of the tournament, DHS was nervous about moving onto the next round until senior Meghan Gaubert’s two-run homerun hit. “Once I hit first base, I knew the ball was gone and that our team could win this game,” said Gaubert, left fielder.

Hard-fought games during the season leading up to the state tournament affected the team’s playoff games. “The biggest victory of our season is when we beat Hannan High School because they were a number 2 seed, and by that victory, we secured our position in the state tournament,” said Mrs. Benoit.

Strong performances in the batter’s box as well as on the pitching mound contributed to the team’s success.

“The whole team plays a role in our success,” said Mrs. Benoit. “However, our freshman pitcher Elise Simon held many teams to few runs this season.” Simon, along with freshman catcher Gracee Reeves, held strong batting teams to few runs during key games.

When asked how she felt on the mound in Sulfur, Simon replied that “the team came together a lot for the state tournament, and everyone had my back no matter what happened.” She added, “I knew we would give all we had to win.”

“We really hoped to come back as a strong team and dedicate our season to developing our skills and returning to Sulphur,” said senior right fielder Cole Pittman. And return to Sulphur they did. Finishing in the same position as last year was exciting for the team because they continue to be a competitive force, according to Pittman.

The team set many goals this season and really hoped to “come together and form a strong bond for the incoming players,” said third baseman Bella Brocato, senior.

“I hope that in the future we can bring home a state championship,” said Simon. “Our future team seems to have dedicated girls coming out ready to win.”